7/18/2011
Reconstruction work at U.S. 93/I-84 junction ready to switch sides
JEROME – The first phase to reconstruct U.S. 93 near Interstate 84 is nearing completion and crews are prepared to move their operation, as well as traffic, to the opposite side. That switch is expected to begin today (Monday, July 18), the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
Crews recently completed paving of the northbound lanes of U.S. 93. Drivers should be prepared for changing traffic patterns over the next few days as the contractor finalizes traffic control on the new driving lanes. Traffic will be split onto the outside lanes before all moving onto the reconstructed northbound lanes by Wednesday. The I-84 westbound loop ramp will also be open beginning Monday afternoon.
Beginning later this week, the contractor will begin pulverizing the southbound lanes and excavating for the reconstruction of the road base. The second phase of roadway reconstruction and minor widening for nearly two miles of U.S. 93 is expected to continue through October.
The project is rebuilding the heaviest-traveled sections of road with concrete travel lanes. The roadway is also expanding to four lanes further north and new turn lanes are also being constructed throughout the project.
The roadway will continue to be limited to one lane of travel in each direction throughout the remainder of construction. The business access points will continue to stay open, but drivers should expect partial intersection closures with shared or changing access points.
Knife River Corporation Northwest, of Boise, is the contractor for the $5.2 million rehabilitation project.